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Make no mistake- the Michigan Mystique is under attack. Not by Buckeyes, not by the NCAA, not by any mistake by the Michigan athletic department, but by the very people who have the most to do with its care. The Michigan Mystique is under attack by its past, present, and future caretakers- the Wolverine football players themselves. As much as fans and alumni want to believe that we contribute to the great tradition of Michigan football the most important people are the men who wear the maize and blue and run out of the tunnel Saturday afternoons at Michigan Stadium. Former, current, and future Wolverines have disappointed the Michigan faithful. We have a former QB who was arrested while cruising for 'action' on the streets of Detroit. We have have our most recent Heisman trophy winner who not only was arrested for DUI during a recent visit to Ann Arbor but now it appears may have taken a benefits from a sports agent during his time in school. We had a team captain, a captain, dismissed from the team for carrying a concealed weapon to the apartment of a teammate's ex-girlfriend. We have a current player who was recently accused of sexual assault. We have two more current players who took part in a street brawl during spring practices. And the future? Well, one of our top recruits was just arrested for drug possession. College football fans around the country are laughing at the notion that Michigan is better than other schools right now. And why shouldn't they? Our players are making a case that we're worse than most schools... Is the situation hopeless? Will we look back on this time as when the 'Leaders and Best' became merely a line from our fight song rather than a call to glory? The choice as to whether this is a momentary stumble or much worse is up to the Wolverine players themselves. Fans and alumni can cheer. Coaches can guide but the choice to live to a higher standard both on and off the field is up to each individual. A few years ago I had the opportunity to hear the Michigan coaching staff talk to players who had attended their annual summer football camp. One of the items that campers received was a Michigan football hat. The players were told that when they went home they would be faced with choices. When they faced a tough choice between right and wrong, they were told to remember the block 'M' and make the choice that a Michigan Man should make...It seems like someone needs to give this speech to every current Michigan football player. Go Blue! |
